3272、“作了他们列民的十二首领”表示该属灵教会的一切首要事物或主要元素。这从“十二”、“首领”和“列民”的含义清楚可知：“十二”是指信或教会的一切事物（577， 2089， 2129e， 2130e节）；“首领”是指首要事物或主要元素（1482， 2089节）；“列民”是指那些处于真理的人（1259， 1260节），因而是指那些属于属灵教会的人，因为严格来说，这些人处于真理。圣言中的一切数字都表示真实事物，这一点从频繁出现的数字“十二”很清楚地看出来。每当这个数字出现在圣言中时，它都表示全部或一切。例如，旧约中的“十二支派”和新约中的“十二使徒”表示信的一切事物，因而表示教会的一切事物。故此处“十二首领”表示该教会的一切首要事物或主要元素，这些事物或元素由以实玛利的十二个儿子来代表。
“十二”这个数字表示这些事物或元素，这一点可从前面提到的章节所引用的经文，以及下面的圣言经文看出来。启示录：
我听见以色列人各支派中受印的数目。犹大支派中受印的有一万二千；流便支派中受印的有一万二千；迦得支派中受印的有一万二千等。（启示录7:4-5等）
此处“各支派中受印的有一万二千”只表示凡处于信，确切地说处于信之良善的人都得救了。又：
有一个妇人，身披日头，脚踏月亮，头戴十二星的冠冕。（启示录12:1）
“妇人”表示教会（252， 253节）；“日头”表示属天之爱；“月亮”表示属灵之爱（30-38， 1529， 1530， 2441， 2495节）；“十二星”表示信的一切事物；“星”是指属于信的良善和真理的知识或认知（2495， 2849节）。
又：
圣城新耶路撒冷有十二个门，门上有十二位天使，又有写在上头的名字，就是以色列人十二支派的名字。城墙有十二根基，根基上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。他用苇子量那城，共有一万二千斯他丢。又量了城墙，按着人的尺寸，就是天使的尺寸，共有一百四十四（12乘12）肘。十二个门是十二颗珍珠。（启示录21:2， 12， 14， 16，17， 21）
此处“圣城”实际上表示主的属灵国度；“门”、“墙”和“根基”表示仁和信的事物或不同方面；如此频繁提及的“十二”表示它们的全部或一切。谁都能看出，所表示的不是字面上的十二支派和十二使徒。又：
在城的街道中间，在河这边与那边有生命树，结十二样果子，每月都结果子。（启示录22:2）
“十二样果子”表示仁的一切事物。
马太福音：
耶稣说，我实在对你们说，你们这跟从我的人，在重生中，人子坐在祂荣耀的宝座上时，你们也要坐在十二个宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。（马太福音19:28）
此处“使徒”不是指使徒，“宝座”不是指宝座，“支派”也不是指支派，而是指整体上信的事物，或被信包围的一切事物（参看2129节）。此外，在旧约圣言凡提到“十二支派”的地方，它们都表示教会的一切事物。这同样适用于按着以色列十二支派的名字而刻在乌陵和土明上的十二块宝石（出埃及记28:21），也适用于依次摆在桌子上的十二个陈设饼（利未记24:5-6），以及其它涉及十二的例子。雅各或以色列的十二个儿子的名字本身也包含信的一切事物；蒙主的神性怜悯，这一点可见于下文（29章和30章）。
Potts(1905-1910) 3272
3272. Twelve princes of their peoples. That this signifies all the primary things of this spiritual church, is evident from the signification of "twelve," as being all things of faith or of the church (n. 577, 2089, 2129, 2130); from the signification of "princes," as being things primary (n. 1482, 2089); and from the signification of "peoples," as being those who are in truths (n. 1259, 1260), thus those who are of the spiritual church, for these are said to be in truths. That all numbers in the Word signify actual things, may be clearly seen from the number "twelve," which so often occurs. This number, wherever it occurs in the Word, signifies all; as for instance the "twelve tribes" in the Old Testament, and the "twelve apostles" in the New, signify all things of faith, and thus all things of the church. So here "twelve princes" signify all the primary things of this church, and these are represented by so many sons of Ishmael. [2] That "twelve" has this signification may be seen from the passages adduced in the sections above cited, as also from the following passages in the Word. In John:
I heard the number of those who were sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel. Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand; of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand; of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand (Rev. 7:4-5); and so on;
where by "twelve thousand sealed out of every tribe" nothing else is signified than that all who are in faith, that is, who are in the good of faith, are saved. Again:
A woman encompassed with the sun, and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev. 12:1);
the "woman" denotes the church (n. 252, 253); the "sun," celestial love; and the "moon," spiritual love (n. 30-38, 1529, 1530, 2441, 2495); the "twelve stars" denote all things of faith. (That "stars" are the knowledges of good and truth which are of faith, may be seen above, n. 2495, 2849.) [3] Again:
The holy city, New Jerusalem, had twelve gates, and upon the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits (twelve times twelve), which is the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls (Rev. 21:2, 12, 14, 16-17, 21);
here by the "holy city" nothing else is signified than the Lord's spiritual kingdom; and by "gates," "wall," "foundations" are signified the things of charity and faith; and by "twelve," so often mentioned, are signified all of these things; that neither twelve tribes nor twelve apostles are signified, must be evident to everyone. Again:
In the midst of the street of it, and on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit every month (Rev. 22:2);
the "twelve fruits" are all things of charity. [4] In Matthew:
Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed Me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28);
here apostles are not meant by "apostles," nor thrones by "thrones," nor tribes by "tribes," but all things that are of faith (n. 2129). Moreover in the Word of the Old Testament, where "twelve tribes" are mentioned, it is all things of the church that are signified; and the case is the same with the "twelve stones according to the names of the twelve tribes of Israel" in the Urim and Thummim (Exod. 28:21); and with the "twelve loaves" of the show bread set in order upon the table (Lev. 24:5-6); and so in other instances. That all things of faith are contained also in the very names of the twelve sons of Jacob or Israel, will be seen, of the Lord's Divine mercy in what follows in chapters 29 and 30.
Elliott(1983-1999) 3272
3272. 'Twelve princes of their peoples' means all the first and foremost features of that spiritual Church. This is clear from the meaning of 'twelve' as all things of faith and so of the Church, dealt with in 577, 2089, 2129 (end), 2130 (end); from the meaning of 'princes' as first and foremost features, dealt with in 1482, 2089; and from the meaning of 'peoples' as those who are governed by truths, dealt with in 1259, 1260, and so those who belong to the spiritual Church, for they are said to be those with whom truths predominate. The fact that all numbers in the Word mean real things becomes quite clear from the number twelve which occurs so many times. Whenever that number is used in the Word it means all things. For example, the twelve tribes in the Old Testament and the twelve apostles in the New mean all things of faith, and so all things of the Church. Here 'twelve princes' accordingly means all the first and foremost features of that Church which are represented by just so many sons of Ishmael.
[2] That the number twelve means those things becomes clear from what has been introduced in the places mentioned above, as well as from the following in the Word: In John,
I heard the number of the sealed out of every tribe of Israel - twelve thousand sealed out of the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand sealed out of the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand sealed out of the tribe of Gad, and so on. Rev 7:4-6, and following verses.Here 'twelve thousand sealed out of every tribe' means nothing else than that everyone who receives faith, that is, who receives the good that accompanies it, is saved. In the same book,
A woman encircled with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Rev 12:1.
'A woman' stands for the Church, 252, 253, 'the sun' for celestial love, 'the moon' for spiritual love, 30-38, 1529, 1530, 2441, 2495. 'Twelve stars' stands for all things of faith - 'stars' being cognitions of good and truth, which are matters of faith, 2495, 2849.
[3] In the same book,
The holy city New Jerusalem, having twelve gates, and above the gates twelve angels, and names written which are those of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. He measured the city with the measuring rod, twelve thousand stadia. And he measured its wall, a hundred and forty-four cubits (twelve twelves), which is the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Rev 21:12, 14, 16, 17, 21.
Here nothing else is meant by the holy city than the Lord's spiritual kingdom, and by the gates, wall, and foundations the things that constitute charity and faith, all of which things are meant by the frequently mentioned number twelve. The fact that neither the twelve tribes nor the twelve apostles are meant literally may be recognized by anyone. In the same book,
In the middle of its street, and of the river, on this side and on that, was the tree of life bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit each month. Rev 22:2.
'Twelve fruits' means all things of charity.
[4] In Matthew,
Jesus said, Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on His throne of glory, will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt 19:28.
Here 'the apostles' is not used to mean the apostles, nor 'thrones' to mean thrones, nor 'tribes' tribes, but matters of faith in their entirety, see 2129. Furthermore when the twelve tribes are referred to in the Old Testament Word they mean all things of the Church. The same applies to the twelve stones set according to the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, in the Urim and Thummim, Exod 28:21; to the twelve loaves of the presence that were laid out on the table, Lev 24:5, 6; and so on with every other reference to twelve. Also the names themselves of the twelve sons of Jacob or Israel contain all things of faith, as will be seen in the Lord's Divine mercy in Chapters 29 and 30 below.
Latin(1748-1756) 3272
3272. `Duodecim principes populorum suorum': quod significet omnia primaria Ecclesiae illius spiritualis, constat ex significatione `duodecim' quod sint omnia fidei {1}seu Ecclesiae, de qua n. 577, 2089, 2129 f, 2130 f; a significatione `principum' quod sint primaria, de qua n. 1482, 2089; (m)et a significatione `populorum' quod sint illi qui in veris, de qua n. 1259, 1260, ita qui ab Ecclesia spirituali sunt nam illi dicuntur in veris esse.(n){2} Quod numeri (t)omnes in Verbo significent res, manifeste constare potest a numero duodecim, qui toties occurrit; ille numerus, ubicumque in Verbo legitur, significat omnia; sicut duodecim tribus in Veteri Testamento et duodecim {3}apostoli in Novo significant omnia fidei, {4}proinde omnia Ecclesiae; ita hic `duodecim principes,' omnia primaria Ecclesiae (c)illius quae per totidem filios Jishmaelis repraesentantur: [2] quod numerus duodecim ea significet, constare potest ex illis quae in citatis supra locis allata sunt, tum quoque ex his in Verbo {5}; apud Johannem, Audivi numerum obsignatorum ex omni tribu Israelis; ex tribu Judae duodecim mille obsignati: ex tribu Reuben duodecim mille obsignati: ex tribu Gad duodecim mille obsignati, et sic porro, Apoc. vii 4-6, seq.;ubi per `duodecim mille obsignatos ex omni tribu' non aliud significatur quam quod omnes qui in fide, hoc est, qui in ejus bono, sunt, salventur: apud eundem, Mulier circumdata solem, et luna sub pedibus ejus, et super capite ejus corona stellarum duodecim, Apoc. xii 1;
`mulier' pro Ecclesia, n. 252, 253, `sol' pro amore caelesti, `luna' pro amore spirituali, n. 30-38, 1529, 1530, 2441, 2495; `duodecim stellae' pro omnibus fidei; quod `stellae' sint cognitiones boni et veri, quae sunt fidei, n. 2495, 2849: [3] apud eundem, Civitas sancta Hierosolyma Nova, habens portas duodecim, et super portas angelos duodecim; et nomina scripta, quae sunt duodecim tribuum filiorum Israelis:...murus civitatis habebat fundamenta duodecim, et in iis nomina duodecim apostolorum Agni:...mensus est civitatem calamo in stadiis duodecies mille;...et mensus est murum ejus centum quadraginta quatuor cubitorum (duodecies duodecim) quae est mensura hominis, hoc est, angeli:...duodecim portae duodecim margaritae, Apoc. xxi 12, 14, 16, 17, 21;
ibi per Civitatem sanctam {6}nihil aliud significatur quam regnum Domini spirituale; et per `portas, murum, fundamenta' illa quae sunt charitatis et fidei, quorum omnia per duodecim toties nominata, {7}significantur; quod non duodecim tribus, nec duodecim apostoli intelligantur, unicuique (t)constare potest: apud eundem, In medio plateae ejus et fluvii, hinc {8}illinc arbor vitae, faciens fructus duodecim, juxta mensem quemvis reddens fructum suum, Apoc. xxii 2;
`fructus duodecim' {9}sunt omnia charitatis: [4] apud Matthaeum, Jesus dixit, Amen dico vobis, quod vos qui secuti estis Me, in regeneratione quando sedebit Filius hominis super throno gloriae Suae, sedebitis etiam vos super duodecim thronis, judicantes duodecim tribus Israelis, xix 28;
hic non per `apostolos' apostoli, non per `thronos' throni, nec per {10}`tribus' tribus intelliguntur, sed omnia quae sunt fidei, videatur n. 2129. Praeterea in Verbo Veteris Testamenti, ubi nominantur duodecim tribus, sunt omnia Ecclesiae quae significantur: ita quoque se habet cum `duodecim lapidibus juxta nomina duodecim tribuum Israelis, in Urim et Thummim,' Exod. xxviii 21; cum `duodecim panibus propositionis supra mensam ordinatis,' Lev. xxiv 5, 6; similiter cum reliquis. Quod etiam omnia fidei in ipsis nominibus duodecim filiorum Jacobi seu Israelis, contineantur, ex Divina Domini Misericordia, ad capita sequentia xxix et xxx, videbitur. @1 ita$ @2 i in m hic in veris boni, nam in lingua originali est vox significans populus in tali sensu, nam in plurali feminino est, et qui in veris boni, sunt qui ab Ecclesia spirituali inter gentes qui hic populi. [The Heb. word is 'ummoth which AV and RV translate by `nations.']$ @3 discipuli$ @4 sic$ @5 i ubi duodecim nominantur, ut$ @6 i Hierosolymam novam$ @7 designantur$ @8 i et$ @9 pro$ @10 tribus Israelis tribus Israelis intellecta sunt$